Machine for forming separable fasteners



Sept. 6. 1938.

N. J. POUX MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Original Filed Feb. 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 l lllll y INVENTOR. w 26% A TTORNEYSZ N. J. POUX MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE FASTENERS 7 Sept. 6, 1938.

Original Filed Feb] 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet, 2

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ATTORNEYS.

N. J. POUX- MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLB FASTENERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept 6, 1938.

Original Filed Feb. 6, 1934.

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Sept. 6, 1938. N. J. POUX MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE FASTENERS a Shets-Shee t 4 Original Filed- Feb. 6, 1934 WENTOR. 7

ATTORNEYS.

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Sept. 6, 1938. N. J. -POUX MACHINE FOR FOF NG SEPARABLE FASTENERS Original Filed Feb. 6, 1934' 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR! M 'fw A TTORNEY S.

Sept. is, i938.

N. J. POUX MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Original Filed Feb. e, 19:54-

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 (ill IIHIE A TTORNEYS.

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N. .1. POUX MRCHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Original- Filed Feb. 6., 1954 s Sheets-Shet v INVEN TOR.

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Sept. 6, 1938. N. J. POUX --MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE FASTENERS Originl Filed Feb. 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 6,1938

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR FORMING SEPARABLE rns'rnnnns Noel Joseph Poux, Meadville, Pa... assignorto Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania .Application February 6, 1934, Serial No. 709,980

' Renewed January 28, 1938 53 Claims. (01. 153 -1) members are operated by sliders which swing the interlocking members fanwise into and out of made in the past the interlocking members have been formed from'a strip of material and have been carried through and completed in the single machine and attached to a stringer. This former method has some very marked advantages, but at the same time some very definite disadvantages. The former practice necessitated the use of a material which would make a satisfactory finish in the completed fastener. it practically excluded the use'of a cheaper material which could be made attractive by'plating. It also necessitated the polishing of the formed members'aft er their attachment to the stringers and inasmuch as this polishing action should 3Q be sufficient to remove the burrs formed in shaping the interlocking members there has always been more or less danger of injuring the stringers in this operation. One of the difiiculties involved in othenmethods of fabricating separable fastenershas been the peculiar shape of the interlocking members and particularly the spreading jaws by which they are" secured to the stringers. These by reason-f their necessary shape havemade the selecting and segregrating of the interlocking members into guides and feeding devices very diflicult. It has been commercially impractical, therefore, to pre-form the interlocking members, plate and polish them after formation as a step betweenthe forming of the inter: locking members and their attachment to the stringer. With the present invention I form the interlocking members, either singly or in pairs, with the metal closing, or bridging the open end of the jaws. This structure presents a shape sequence and position to a feeding mechanism. In the present invention, after'these'blanks have been so far formed as to have the exterior shapes 5 completed, they are delivered to a punch which engagement. In machines as more commonly In other words,

removes the material closing the opening to the jaws and preferably removes some, or allof the material between the jaws and follows this operation by placing the interlocking members into position on stringers and securing the interlocking members on the stringers by closing the jaws.

In the machine operating these interlocking members in'this manner it is practical to assemble and secure the interlocking members to the stringers after they have been formed and after they have been plated by a plating process if that is desired, or have been polished by a tumbling. or other operation if that is desired and the finished member as completed by the present machine provides inner surfaces of the jaws having the ordinary punching characteristics both of surface and corners by reason of which the jaws more firmly grip the stringers and assure a more definite attachment to the stringers.

In carrying out the invention, the present machine is preferably arranged to operate onpairs of interlocking members having their jaw ends secured together, the machine severing the interlocking members from each other and attaching them simultaneously to two distinct stringers so that with each cycle of the machine two interlocking members are secured to the stringers as distinguished from a single interlocking member as with machines as commonly used, thus doubling the capacity of the machine with the same frequency of cycles. The invention also contemplates a preferable form of selecting mechanism and feeding mechanism therefrom which assures a constant delivery of formed blanks to the parts of the machine for completing the jaws and attaching the members to the stringers.

Features and details of the inventionwill appear from :the specification and claims.

' Preferred embodiments of. the invention are which can be readily passed through a magazine, or selecting device, so as to be delivered in proper illustrated in theaccompanyingflrawings as folvlOWS Fig. 1 shows an elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2- a perspective view of the recessed side of one of the blanks as it is delivered to the machine.

Fig. 2a a modified form of blank with a. section of plunger operating on the same.

Fig. 2b a side elevation of the blank shown in Fig. 2a in place in the dies after severingthe same. v

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the projection side.

Fig. 4 a. perspective view of a modifled form of blank. e

Fig. 5 an end view of. the same blank.

Fig. 6 a section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6a a perspective view of the recessed side of a similar single blank.

Fig. 6b a perspective view of the projection side of the same blank.

Fig. 7 a front elevation of the machine, some parts being in section. I

Fig. 8 a section of the magazine, partly on the line 8-8 and partly on the line 8' in Fig. 7.

Fig. 8a a section on the line 8a8a in Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 an enlarged side elevation of the feed chute.

Fig. 10 an enlarged section of the feed magazine, the section being similar to the section in Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 a section on the line lI-II in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 a section on the line I2--I2 in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 a plan view of the blank severing and member positioning mechanism. I

Fig. 14 an elevation of the severing die and feeding device therefor with the mountings therefor in section.

Fig. 15 an enlarged front view of the tape feeding and jaw setting mechanism.

Fig. 16 a perspective view of the blank transferring device.

Fig. 17 a sectional view on the line I'I--II in Fig. 23.

Fig. 18 shows a detail of the gearing for positioning the severing dies.

Fig. 19 a section on the line I9--I9 in Fig. 9.

Fig. 20 a section on the line 20-20 in Fig. 9.

Fig. 21 a plan view of the severing punch and tape operating guides and their operating mechanism.

Fig. 21a an end view of one of the tape guides.

Fig. 22 a rear view of the tapefeeding mechanism.

Fig. 23 an enlargedview of the severing dies with the severing dies oscillating to position an interlocking member on the stringer.

For convenient comparison reference numerals in the present application are made to correspond, where the same parts are shown and designated, in the companion method application above referred to.

The blanks used in this machine are illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6b. The blank may include a single interlocking member, as shown 6a and 6b. In these the blank has jaws II formed thereon in spread position, the recesses I3 and projections l4 adapted to interlock with the recesses. The ends of the jaws are closed by a web II, the web preferably extending throughout the space between the'jaws. This web with a small part of the inner jaw surface is, or may be, removed by the machine, as hereinafter described.

In the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the blank involves two interlocking members having their jawportions '26 united by a web 2'! which closes the space between the jaws. The blank is provided with recesses29 on one side and pro- .iections 13011 on the opposite side which are designed to operate in the recesses.; I

In the modification shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the blank has the outline of two members which are united, the blank remaining solid in full thickness in that portion which forms the space between the jaws. These blanks are provided with interlocking recesses 63 which are adapted to engage with projections 64.

In Figs. 2a and 2b the blank 2 involves the complete forming of two interlocking members,

parts 215, the interior space 2I6 between the jaws being blanked out. The blank is provided with recesses 2II adapted to interlock with projections 2l8.

In each of these structures the pre-forming of the blank and the tumbling, or polishing of them does not materially change the inner surface of the jaws from the condition which those 'surface's assume as the space between the jaws is blanked out. In the structure shown in Figs.

In the structure shown in Figs. 2a and 2b the inner surfaces of the jaws are' pre-formed, but

inthe tumbling operation these surfaces are not V exposed and consequently are not polished, but, if desired, a small cut may be made on. the inner sides of the jaws asthe connecting web, or rib, is severed. in the present machine. A magazine I I2 is provided for selecting the blanks and feeding them to a feed chute. This magazine is carried by a post I I3 (see Fig. 7). It has a rotating platform IN which is provided with a spindle H5 and the spindle is journaled in a bearing H6. The spindle has a gear I" at its lower end which is driven by a gear 8. The gear H8 is driven by a shaft 8a. The shaft II8a is driven by a pulley H9 from a belt I20 leading to any convenient part of the machine. As shown it leads to a pulley I200. mounted on the main drive shaft I54 hereinafter described. The speed of the platform i I4 is such as to throw the members thereon centrifugally to the outer edge and a selecting and guiding groove I2I (see Fig. 10) is arranged along the edge. The groove I2I leads to a tangential discharge groove I22 which is so shaped as to permit the entrance of blank members where the projections are right side up and properly alined by the groove I2I, but does not receive members with projections otherwise arranged and under these conditions the members themselves not properly selected pass by the tangential groove and mingle with the material in the magazine. It will be noted that the groove has the laterally extending portions which are adapted to receive the plate portion of the interlocking member and has an upwardly extending groove which is adapted to receive the projection.

Where there is but a single interlocking member,

as shown in Fig. 6a, the plate portion swings into the outer horizontal extension of the groove and thus these single members all enter the chute with like arrangement. Where the double members are used the projections at the ends extend 'into the; upright groove and the broader interbers from the chute and groove I22 back into the magazine.- This is accomplished by the following mechanismz- A block I23a is slidingly mounted on the chute.

'It is provided with rollers I23b which operate in grooves I230 on the chute. An adjustable finger I23d is carried by the block I23a and is adapted to engage the interlocking members in the chute, the face of the chute being provided with an open slot for this purpose. The block is in the path of a lug I23) carried by a chain I239 .traveling'on sprockets I23h and I232. The sprocket I23h is pulley I230 on.a shaft I12. The shaft I12 is provided with a helical gear I13 which meshes with 'a helical gear I14 on the drive shaft I54. The

lower sprocket I232 is mounted on a shaft I231) journaled in a bearing I23q.

As the chain is rotated and the lug I23! engages the block I23a the block mic is lifted and as it passes up the chute it carries with it the column of selected members above the block and ejects a number of the selected members atthe upper end of the chute back into the magazine. The upper end of theguide channel I230 is off-set so that when the block approaches its upper position it is carried to the left, as shown in Fig. 9, and this brings the adjustable finger I23d out of engagement with the interlocking members in the chute. The interlocking members above the finger I32d in the chute then drop in the chute into engagement with the members below, the chute having suiiicient capacity to keep the machine operating during this lifting movement of the block. The lug I231 then progresses and as it passes over the sprocket I 23h is carried from under the block l23a permitting this block to drop and as it drops the finger I23d isjbrought again into the guide groove of the chute so as to engage the lowermost member of the new filling of the chute. In this way any jamming, or, clogging at the entrance to the chute is entirely prevented.-

In order to assure the forward feeding of the members in the lower part of the chute which is deflected to the horizontal I prefer to provide a driving wheel I231- whichhas radially extending spring blades I23s. These bladesas the wheel is driven extend into the chute groove and yieldingly engage the members in the chute groove and force them forward (see Figs. 9, 19 and 20). The wheel I231 is mounted on a shaft I23t which is journaled in a bearing I23u (see Fig. 19) and a pulley I231; is fixed on the shaft I23t and driven by a belt I23w from a pulley I233: on the' A beveled gear I29 is arranged on the end of the spindle and this meshes with a gear I30. These gears rock with a jaw-forming die head in a -manner hereinafter described. -Sufilceto say The members arement of the projections. The member blanks as they are ejected from the positioning head in a manner hereinafter described are forced into the jaw-forming dies shown in enlarged view in Figs. 13 and 23. These dies have die sockets I34 carried by heads I35. There are two of these heads and a part of the die is formed in each head where the blanks are formed of double members. Where the blanks are formed for only a single member only one head is required. A punch I36 carried by thepunch bar I31 (see Figs. 13. 21 and 23) is advanced through the die I34 and removes the material of the interior of the jaws and severs the blank. This is accomplished regardless of whether the blanks are formed with the webs 21, or with full thickness of material between the jaws, as shown in Fig. 2, or 'with simply the bridges 2I5 as shown in Fig. 2a and with the single members regardless of how the material is punched out between the jaws. In any case the interior surface of the jaws is that left by the A as the tapes are forced forward by the tape guides, the tapes-being fed forward into position between the jaws by a mechanism hereinafter described. With the tapes in position betweenthe jaws, the jaws are closed by the closing plunger I38 (see Fig. 15) At the time of the closing operation the member is still held in the sockets I34 of the dies'and consequently is held in vertical and proper position until the jaws are closed. The punch I36 is retained in its forward position during the initial swinging movement of the die head I and consequently the jaws of the severed blank follow along the surfaces of the punch as a guide and pass from the punch to the guide surfaces I35a. These surfaces retain the interlocking members in the die sockets and assure their proper movement with the die into a position over the tape. A push plate I39 is carried by a reciprocating bar I40 (see Fig. 17) which is slidingly mounted in a bearing I4lla. The plate I39 is designed to enter the slot I32 in the positioning member I24 and force the member blank through the slot I32 and into the die I34 so that the member is definitely and properly seatedin the dies I34 by the plate. A rock arm I4 I is connected by a bearing I42 with the bar I40. The rock arm is pivotally'mounted on a pin I43. The pin is mounted between ears I44. The .ears I44 extend from a post I45. The post is formed on a frame I46.of the machine. A thrust bar I41 is connected by bearings I48 with the rocker MI. The thrust bar is slidingly mounted in'bearings I49 and I50 and is provided with a cam roller. I5 I at its lower end. The cam roller is in the path of a cam I52 and this cam is properly timed to give to the plate I39 a feeding movement with relation to the movement of the positioning head I24 and die heads I35. The cam I52 is mounted on a cam cylinder I53. .This cam cylinder is driven by a drive shaft I54. A spring I55 anchored at I56 is secured to'a pin I51 on the thrust bar I41 and this spring returns the thrust bar and consequently the feeding plate after each operation.

The die heads I35 are mounted on a spindle I58 (see Figs. 14 and 17) and these spindles are mounted in bearings I59 in the frame. Gears I60 are fixed at the lower ends of the spindles I58 75 A and these mesh with gears I6I. The gears I6I mesh with each other (see Fig. 18) so that the heads driven through these gears, are rotated in properly space, or position the members thereon.

opposite directions. The gears I8I are mounted on studs I62. A rock arm I63 is journaled on a stud I64 on the frame. A link I65 is connected with the rock arm I63 by a pin I68 and with one of the gears IGI by a pin I61. The rocker I63 is provided with a cam roller I68 which operates in a cam groove I68a (see Fig. 15) on the cam cylinder I53. Through this cam action the gears ii are rocked sufiiciently to turn the gears 50 90 and consequently the die heads I35 90 to transfer the members in the dies I34 from the punching'position shown in Fig. 13 to the tape securing position shown in Fig. 23 and in dotted lines in Fig. 13.

A cam box I10 is arranged at the front of the machine (see Figs. 1 and 7) This box is carried by a projection I10aon the frame. A cam cylin der I1I- (see Figs. 17 and 21) is jcurnaled on a shaft I1Ia. The shaft I12 .extends into the box and is driven from the drive shaft I54 (see Fig. 1) in the manner before stated. A gear I12a. is fixed on the shaft I12 and meshes with a gear I15. The gear I15 is carried by a shaft I151: in

' bars I86. The barsare mounted in guides I81.- "The bars I86 have bearings I88 by which they are connected to rockers I89. The rockers are the case and meshes with a gear I1Ii extending from the cam cylinder "I. The cam cylinder has a cam groove I18 and a cam roller I19 is arranged on the bar I31 and extends into this cam groove. In this way the punch bar I31 is reciprocated forward. and back in proper time to punch the jaws and sever the, blank. Tape guides I80 are mounted on reciprocating bars I8I. The bars i8I are slidingly mounted in. guide slots I 8Ia in the box. A cross bar I 82 is secured to both the bars I8I and a cam roller I83 is arranged at the center of the crossbar I82 and extends into a cam groove I84 so that the two tape guides are advanced and withdrawn with each cycle of the machine through the action of this cam. The tape is carried into the guide from a guide tape deflector I80a., It passes through a slot I80b into a slot I800 in the inclined tape rib positioning projection IBM and thisalso assists in maintaining andpositioning the members as the jaws are closed so that the members are in perfect alinement with the tape.

As the die heads I35 are swung around carrying the open-ended jaws into position facing the tape the tape is advanced by the tape guide carrying-the tape between the jaws. The law closing plungers are then operated and the jaws securely clamped on the tape. with the attached members proceeds through the guide portion I80e. I

The jaw closing plungers I38 are mounted on heads I85. These heads are carried/\by slidin of the interlocking members astraddle the edge.

of the stringer, or tape. It will be noted that theplungers I38 are very thin and operate in the die slots I34 so that the jaws are operated upon ment thereby by a pressure shoe 208.

The tape then The rollers operate in cam and are perfectly guided and held in place until closed. v

The tape is advanced, step by step, so as to Each of the tapes is carried over a feed roll I94 (see Figs.'1, '7 and 15). directlyalike and a description of one will apply to both. The feed roll I94 is carried by a spindle I95 journaled in a bearing I96 (see Fig. 1). A

' ratchet wheel I91 is fixed on the outer end of the spindle I95 and a rock arm I98 is journaled on the end of the bearing I96 concentric with the spindle. The rock arm has a cam roller I99 which operates in a cam groove 200 in the cam cylinder I53. A pawl 20I is pivotally mounted on a pin 202 and the pin 202 is mounted on the arm I98. A spring 203 yieldingly crowds the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel I91. A pawl 204 is pivotally mounted on a pin 205 and the pin 205 is mounted on a stationary arm 206. The pawl is urged into engagement with the ratchet wheel by'a spring 201 and this pawl prevents a return movement of the ratchet wheel during a. return movement of the pawl 20I. With each cycle of the machine'the cam drives the rock arm I 98 and advances the ratchet wheel the space that may be desired: The tape as it passes from the feed wheel I 94 is held in engage- This shoe is pivotally mounted in an arm 209 formed of spaced plates, the pivotal mounting being accomplished by a pin 208a arranged in a slot 2118b. The arm is pivotally mounted on a pin 2I0. The end of the pin has a notch. 2I I which is adapted to engage a pawl 2I2. A spring 2I3 operates between the pawl 2I2 and the shoe 208 and exerts spring pressure on the shoe 208. By depressing the pawl 2 I2 it is moved out of the catch 2| I and permits the lifting of the shoe out of engagement.

From this itwill' be seen that a partly formed blank is provided in the form illustrated as examples in Figs. 2 to 6b inclusive. The bridged jaws permit of the easy hoppering and selecting of the devices so that they may be readily handled .as independent pieces for plating, or polishing, as

may be desired without making the further fabrication and securing of said members of great difliculty. As the devices are hoppered and selected they are again placed in the control of the guiding. and advancing means of the machine by way of the chute. The hoppering device is of extreme simplicity and automatic means are provided for preventing jamming at the entrance to the chute. Further the members in the chute are subjected to continuous yielding pressure assuring their delivery tothe point of operation. The

The two feed rolls are 1 members are taken from the chute and the jaws I freshly formedso as to give desirable securing surfaces and the double members are severed through the action of the positioning mechanism and the punching operation. The several members with their open ,jaws are carried by the dies in which the punching is done by the oscillating heads into position opposite the tapes. The tapes are advanced transversely to bring the ribs of the tapes into the jaws. The .jaws are closed, the

. parts successively retracted and the tape advan'ced longitudinally. The machine, therefore,

permits of an economical and very desirablemanner of forming separable fasteners in that it permits of the-use of a wider range of materials in the formation of the fasteners, particularly a wider variation of materials where plating is used and it assures a more uniform polishing of the units and particularly the elimination of the receive members in pairs united at their jaw ends rough edges. This not only is more thoroughly accomplished, but is accomplished without any injury of any kind to the tape, or stringer. Notwithstanding thisnice finishing of the membars the engaging surfaces of the jaws are substantially fresh such as are left by clean punching and more securely engage the tape than would be the case if the inner surfaces of the jaws were polished and rounded. One of the very definite advantages of the machine is the accuracy with which the members may beplaced on the tape. The members are securely held both as to direction and as to the spacing with the preceding members as the jaws are closed. In consequence of these several features the opening, or closing of the finished fastener is smoother by reason of the fact that all rough edges, or corners, obstructing the free running are removed and also by reason of the fact that each member is properly directioned and spaced so that it swings into position freely yetuniformly and securely. In addition to this when the double blanks are used, which is the preferable form, the output per minute with an equal number of cycles of the t machine is doubled.

The machine, as a whole, considering the number of necessary operations is extremely simple and rugged. The cams are grouped for convenience and cheapness of manufacture and the This makes it possible to operate with very small tolerances and at high speeds assuring the extreme accuracy to which I have referred.

With the united members shown in Figs. 2a

and 2b the punch l36a merely severs the members while the punch I36 is designed to notonly sever the members, but to remove the material within the jaws. If desired, however, the same 1. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a mechanism adapted to re-' ceive members in pairs united at the jaw ends;

' means acting on the members in the mechanism severing the members; and means delivering the severed members from the mechanism to individual stringers.

2. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination. of a mechanism adapted to receive members in pairs united at the jaw ends; means acting on the members in the mechanism severing the members; and means moving the mechanism to. position the severed members to individual stringers. v

3. In a. machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a mechanism adapted to receive members in pairs united at the jawends; means acting on the members in the mechanism severing the members; means delivering the severed members from the mechanism to individual stringers; and means seeming the members on' the stringers to which they are attached.-

4. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a mechanism adapted toreceive members in pairs united at the jaw ends; means acting on the members in the mechanism severing themembers; means moving the mechanism to position the several members to individual stringers; and means securing the membets on the stringers to which they. are delivered.

5. In a machine formaking separable fasteners, the combination of a mechanism adapted to operating parts from the cams are so nearly direct as to reduce the lost motion to a minimum. I

severing the same; means feeding and guiding and with material in the space between the jaw portions; and means severing a pair of members and removing the materialin the space and surfacing the inner edges of the members.

6. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a mechanism adapted to' 8. In a machine for making separable fasten ers, the combination of a die; a punch operating on .a member in the die", means feeding and guiding a stringer; and means imparting rotatively oscillating motion to the die to transfer the member punched to position it relatively to a stringer in the feeding and guiding means.

9. In a machine for making separable fasten.- ers, the combination of a pair of complementary dies adapted toreceive a pair of partiallyformed members; a punch operating on the members a pair of stringers; and means imparting m'ovement to the dies to transfer thepunched mem-' bers to the stringers. r

10. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies adapted to receive a pair of partially formed members; a punch operating on the members severing the same; mansfeedin'g and guiding a pair of stringers; and means imparting oscillating movement to the dies to transfer the punched members to the stringers.

'11. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a die; a punch operating on a member in the die; means feeding and guiding a stringer; means imparting reciprocating motion to the die to transfer -the member punched to position it relatively to a stringer in the feeding and guiding means; and means securing the member to the stringer.

12. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies adapted to receive a pair of partially formed members; a punch operating on the members severing the same; 'means feeding and guiding a pair of stringers; means imparting movement to the dies to transfer the punched members to the stringers; and means securing the member transferred tothe stringers.

13. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies adapted to receive a pair of partially formed members; a punch operating on the members severing the same; means feeding andguiding a pair of stringers; means-imparting oscillating movement to the dies to transfer. the punchedmembers having united jaw portions; a ,punch operating on the members and severing the same; means feeding and'guiding a pair of stringers;

means imparting movement to the dies to transfer the members punched with their jaws astraddle the stringers; and means securing the members to the stringers by closing the jaws while the members are held by the dies.

15. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a die adapted to receive a partially formed member having jaw portions with material closing the ends of the jaws; a punch operating on the member removing the material; means'feedlng and guiding a stringer; means imparting reciprocating'motion to' the die to transfer the member punched to position it relatively to a stringer in the feeding and guiding means; and a closing punch closing the jaws on the stringer, said die having a guiding surface maintaining the alinement of the jaws as they are closed.

16. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a die adapted to receive a partially formed member having jaw portions with material closing the ends of the jaws; a punch operating on the member removing the material; means feeding and guiding a stringer; means imparting reciprocating motion to the die to transfer the member punched to position it relatively to a stringer in the feeding and guiding means; and aclosing punch closing the jaws on the stringer, said die having a guiding surface for the punches and maintaining alinement of the jaws as they are closed.

17. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a die adapted to receive members with jaw portions;'a punch operating on the member; means feeding a stringer; means imparting reciprocating motion to the die to transfer the member to a position opposite the stringer; and means advancing the stringer into the jaws positioned by the die.

18. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of complementary dies adapted to receive a pair of partially formed members united at their jaw ends; a punch operating on the members and severing the same; means feeding a pair of stringers; means imparting movement to the dies to transfer the members punched to the stringers; and means advancing the stringers into the jaws positioned by the dies.

19. In a machine for making separablefasteners, the combination-of a die; a punch operating ing a stringer; means imparting reciprocating motion to the die to transfer the member punched toposition it relatively to a stringer in the feeding and guiding means; and a guide engaging the member as the diemoves the member" to the stringer, the punch supplementing the guide in the guiding movement.

21. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies adapted to receive a pair of partially formed members; a punch operating on the pair of members severing the same; means feeding and guiding a stringer; means imparting movement to the dies to transfer the severed members punched to the stringers; and means guiding the members as the dies move holding the members in place.

22. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies adapted to receive a pair of partially formed members; a punch operating on the pair of members severing the same; means feeding and guiding a stringer; means imparting movement to the dies to transfer the severed members punched to the stringers; and means guiding the members as the dies move holding the members in place, said punch supplementing the guides in the guiding action.

23. In a machine for makingseparable fasteners, the combination of a die adapted to receive a member having material uniting the jaw portions; means feeding and guiding a stringer; means imparting motion to the die to transfer the member to the stringer; a punch operating on the member in the die removing the material; and a guide engaging'the jawsas the member is transferred by the die.

24. In a machine for forming separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device comprising a rotating platform; a. guide wall on which the members to be selected are'positioned with a selected edge of the members next the wall by centrifugal force and rotative movement of the platform, said wall having aguide groove receiving a. projecting portion from a member; and a discharge chute leading from the wall in continuation of the guide groove receiving the positioned members.

25. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device having a rotating selecting hopper; a discharge chute leading therefrom; and means periodically forcing a return movement of a portion of the members in they chute to the hopper.

26. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device having a rotating selecting hopper; a discharge chute leading therefrom; means-periodically forcing a return movement of a portion of the members in return movement of a portion of the members in the chute to the hopper comprising a reciprocating actuator; and means imparting a reciprocating actuating and releasing movement to the actuator.

28. In a machine for making separable fastene ers, the combination of a hoppering device having a rotating selecting hopper; a discharge chute leading therefrom; an actuator having a finger engaging members in the chute; I mechanism moving the ctuator lengthwise of the chute for returning a portion of the members to the hopper; and means imparting a sidewise movement to the actuator to release the finger.

29. In a'machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device having a rotating selecting hopper; a discharge chute leading therefrom; an actuator having a finger engaging members in the chute; mechanism moving the'actuator lengthwise of the chute for returning a portion of the members to the hopper, said mechanism comprising a rotating chain having a lug engaging the actuator along one reach of the chain and releasing the actuator at the end of the reach; and means imparting side.- wise movement to the actuator to release the finger.

30. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device havmg a rotatingselecting hopper; a discharge chute leading therefrom; means periodically forcing a ers, the combination of a hoppering device having'a rotating selecting hopper; a discharge chute leading therefrom; means periodically forcing a return movement of a portion of the members in the chute to the hopper; and a yielding driver acting on the members remaining in the chute as the means is returned,. said yielding driver comprising a wheel with radially extending yielding blades engaging the members in the chute.

32. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination -of a selecting device comprising a chute; and means yieldingly forcing movement of selected members in the chute comprising a rotating wheel having yielding radially extending blades engaging such members.

33. In a machine for forming separable fasteners, the combination of a punch ng die; a chute guiding separated selected members; 'and .an oscillatingpositioning device receiving members from the chute and delivering the same to the die.

34. In a machine for forming separable fastenguiding separated selected members; and an oscillating positioning device receiving members from the chute and delivering the same to the die, said positioning device having a guide channel alining with the chute inone position and with the die in a second position.

35. In a machine for forming separable fasteners, the combination of a die; achute for selected members; an oscillating positioning device receiving members from the chute and delivering the same to the die, said positioning device having a guide channel alining, with the chute in one position and with the die in a second position; and means forcing members from the channel into the die.

v 36. In a machine for forming separable fasteners, the combination ofa feeding means for a stringer comprising a feed pulley; a' yielding pressure shoe acting on a. stringer on the pulley; a pivoted carrier for the shoe; and a latch permitting the pivotal release of the carrier;

37. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies; oscillating heads for the dies; means acting on members in the dies; and actuating means for oscillating the dies for transferring the members comprising concentric cams for both dies.

38. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies; oscillating heads for the dies; an oscillating positioning device delivering member forms to the dies; means acting upon'the members in the ers, the combination of a pair of complementary dies; oscillating heads for theydies; means acting on members in the dies severing the same and.

= providing open jaws; a tape feeding device; and

ing device.

providing .open jaws;

concentric cams operating the dies and the feed- 40. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary dies; oscillating heads for the dies; means acting on members in the dies severing the same and a tape feeding device; mechanism closing the jaws on the tape; and actuating means oscillating the dies and the mechanism comprising concentric cams.

41. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of complementary dies; means operating on members in the dies severing the same and providing open jaws; a tape feeding device; a jaw'cl'osin'g mechanism; and concentric cams oscillating said dies and actuatingsaid feeding device and closing mechanism.

42. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a pair of complementary 43. In a machine for making separable fasten ers, the combination of a pair of complementary dies; oscillating heads for said dies; a punch operating on members in the dies severing the same and providing open jaws; tape feeding devices; jaw closing mechanism; guide means advancing the tape into the jaws; actuating means for the. dies, feed devices and mechanism comprising concentric cams; and actuating meansfor the punch and the'guiding means comprising concentric cams. w I

'44. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device comprising a carrier moving partially-formed members having longitudinal variations in shape; a selector acting on the variations of the members selecting only the members presenting the'variations in proper position; a shaping mechanism for operating on the selected.- members; and

transfer means taking the, members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping one side only projections; a selector acting on the variations of the members selecting only the members presenting variationsin proper position; a shaping mechanism for operating on the selected members; andtransfer means taking the members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping mechanism and from the shaping mechanism to a stringerwith a maintained uniform relation of the'variations of. the members.

46. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device comprising acarrier moving partially formed members having longitudinal variations in shape; a selector acting on the variations of the members selecting only the members presenting the varia- 'tions in proper position; a shaping mechanism for operating on the selected members; transf er means taking the members from the selector and transferring them 'to the shaping mechanism and from the shaping mechanism to a stringer with a maintained uniform relationof the variations of the members; and means securing the members the material therefrom to form the interior of securing jaws; andtransfer means taking the members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping mechanism with a maintained uni= form relation of the variations of the members.

48. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device comprising a carrier moving partiallyformed members having longitudinal variations in shape; a selector acting on the variations of the members selecting only the members presenting the variations in proper relation; a shaping mechanism for operating on the selected members removing the material therefrom to form the interior of securing jaws; and transfer means taking the members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping mechanism and from the shaping mechanism to a stringer with a maintained uniform relation of the variations of the members.

49. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device com= prising a carrier moving partially formed members with longitudinal variations at each endvoi' the member in the form of projections; a selector acting on the variations at each end of the partially formed members delivered to the selector by the carrier in proper position with respect to the variations at both ends; a. shaping mechanism for operating on the selected members; and transfer means taking the members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping mechanism-and from the shaping mechanism to stringers with a" maintained uniform relation of the variations of the'members.

50. In a machine for making separable fasteners, the combination of a'hoppering device comprising a carrier moving partially formed members with longitudinal variations at each end of the member in' the form of projections; a selector acting on the variations at each end of the partially formed members delivered to the selector by the carrier in proper position with respect to the variations at both ends; a shaping mechanism removing material from the interior of the partially ing the partially formed member to provide two fastener: units; and transfer means taking the members from the selector, delivering them to the shaping mechanism and maintaining-a uniform relation of the variations. I

51. In a machine for making separable fasteners; the combination of a hoppering device comprising a carrier moving partially formed members with longitudinal variations at each end of the member in the form of projections; 'a selector acting on the variations a each end of the partially formed members delivered to the selector by the earrier in proper position with respect'to the variations at both ends; a shaping mechanism removing material from the interior of the partially formed member to form securing jaws and severing the partially formed member to provide two fastener units; and transfer means taking members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping mechanism and from the shaping mechanism to stringers with a maintained uniform relation oi the. variations of the members.

52. In a machine for making separable fastenera, the combination of a hoppering device comprising a carrier moving partially formed membars with longitudinal variations at each end of the member in the form of projections; a selector acting on the variations at each end of the partially formed members delivered to the selector by the carrier in proper position with respect to t e variations at both ends; a shaping mechanism removing material from the interior of the partially formed member to form securing jaws and severing the partially formed member to provide two fastener units; transfer means taking the members from the selector and transferring them to the shaping mechanism and from the shaping mechanism to stringers with a maintained uniform relation of the variations of the members; and means closing the jaws on the stringers.

53. In a machine forv forming separable fasteners, the combination of a hoppering device comprising a rotatable'platform; meansfor rotating the platform at a speed throwing the material thereon to the periphery thereof; and a peripheral guide wall on which members to be hoppered and selected are positioned by centrifugal force and rotating movement of the platform, said guide wall having a guide grooveadapted to receive a portion of a member and obstruct another portion of a member to assist in the selection of the members.

NOEL JOSEPH POUX. 

